With Springs for Tires, this SUV is Breaking All the Rules to Test a Simple Theory

Why do cars have air-filled tires? And why do spring suspensions exist as separate entities? What if someone just made tires out of springs, wouldn’t that kill two birds with the same stone? Moreover, spring tires would be more durable, wouldn’t require air, and could therefore never get punctured. All of these questions make a lot of sense, and to be honest, Germans even experimented with spring tires in the 1900s during rubber shortages, but soon reverted back to good-old air-filled rubber tires soon thereafter, sticking to it when they developed the autobahn too.

A YouTuber by the name of Garage54 decided to put this experiment to the test, just to see how things would play out. Instead of rubber treads, G54’s car was outfitted with wheels made of springs in the hopes of being able to travel well on snowy roads and off-road trails. Hate to give you spoilers, but the experiment almost instantly failed, in part because metal doesn’t make a good rubber substitute, and also because G54 quite literally welded springs to his tire. However, it was a great starting point for what I personally think is a pretty unique theory. The design could be optimized, material considerations could be made, and if there’s anyone I trust with getting things right, it’s The Q, who designed the Wheelless Bicycle we saw last year!

Designer: Garage 54

The project started, as most do, with seeing an image on the internet of a spring tire from the early 20th century – designed to boost off-roadability. Of course, good ideas have a certain sticky nature to them, so the fact that nobody uses spring tires anymore was a warning sign to begin with… but then again, I bet you’re just as curious as I am. What if you replaced bouncy rubber tires with bouncy spring tires? How much of a difference could it really make?!

The process of attaching springs to the wheel was quite literally as simple as sanding down the wheel, bending a few massive springs, and welding them in place. To make sure the springs don’t make direct contact with the ground (and potentially destroy the roads), an extra metal strip was then welded around the rim.

A look at the springs that were going to be attached to the wheel

Bending and spot-welding the springs in place

Attaching the rim

Finally, the new tires got a spray of red paint to increase their visibility. Even in their new avatar, they were just about as thick as the original wheels, making the modification incredibly easy.

G54 then attached the tires to his Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The tires, however, ran into a few snags as G54 drove the car on sludgy snowy roads. For starters, metal doesn’t provide much friction, so even though the spring shape promised to easily conquer off-road paths, the tires tended to either rotate in place or slip in all four directions. Secondly, rubber and air are infinitely lighter than steel springs, so the new wheels added immense weight to the car, causing it to literally sink in the snow – this happened especially when the car was stationary. What also didn’t help the weight problem was the fact that snow managed to fill right up inside the hollow spring tires, adding to the vehicle’s bulk. The springs also managed to catch stray twigs and branches, creating more problems than they solved. And as far as suspension was concerned, the new wheels hardly offered any improvements.

Although an instant flop, the experiment had a few areas of improvement. For starters, manually welding together a metal wheel will result in imperfections that then affect the car’s performance. However, before we dismiss metal tires entirely, it’s worth noting that NASA has been extensively testing airless metal mesh wheels for its Mars rover, allowing the vehicle to quite literally drive on the most off-road terrain mankind has ever witnessed! If NASA can do it, I’m sure us normies could figure something out too!

The post With Springs for Tires, this SUV is Breaking All the Rules to Test a Simple Theory first appeared on Yanko Design.

The 10 Best Designs You Need In Your Yard Or Garden To Gear Up For Spring 2024

You can do a lot in your backyard! We shouldn’t underestimate our backyards, as they can be major spaces of fun, recreation, and relaxation. Spring is around the corner, and if you’re gearing up for spring season, then you’ve reached the right list. We’ve curated a collection of innovative and functional designs that are the right fit for the spring season. From a portable tiny home on wheels that you can set up in your yard, to a gardening kit that can help you get your hands muddy and green – these unique and functional designs are all you need for a great spring season.

1. Nestron Tiny Homes

Nestron has designed a range of sleek and futuristic tiny homes that feature a highly customizable, and aesthetically pleasing prefab design. The collection includes – Cube One (C1), Cube Two (C2), and Cube Two X (C2X), and they are priced between $42.2k to $126.6k. The homes make for excellent portable tiny home on wheels, that you can take along for your spring adventures, or set up in your backyard!

Why is it noteworthy?

The futuristic homes include solar electricity (or local electricity), heating, and a fully-equipped bathroom with a smart toilet. The interiors can be customized, and they’re quite stunning and ideal for sci-fi fans who want their own futuristic homes!

What we like

  • The homes are built from recyclable materials
  • Everything is handled by Nestron – from logistics and transport to unloading, so you don’t need to worry about anything

What we dislike

  • The homes aren’t very spacious. The most expansion option, the Cube Two X, provides only 398 square feet of space

2. Garden Domes

These quaint little garden domes by Hypedome are designed to serve as office space, yoga dens, additional sleeping quarters, or even calm spaces to rest in. They are a great option if you like sleeping under the stars, of course without the fear of rain and snow. The geodesic domes are designed to make indoor-outdoor living accessible.

Why is it noteworthy?

The domes are designed to offer you an indoor-outdoor space that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature without having to deal with its extreme side. It may look like the hemispherical garden domes are made from glass, but they are 200 times more durable weather-resistant, and UV-protected too.

What we like

  • They can be used all year round since you can easily heat them during the winter

What we dislike

  • The domed outer wall/ceiling makes the interiors seem smaller than they are.
  • You can’t have furniture set against the curved wall, which wastes precious real estate

3. The Gardener’s Tool Seat

If you’re in the mood to get down and dirty and grow some stuff in your yard this spring, then you need to get this Gardener’s Tool Seat. It gives you everything you could need – a collapsible seat to sit on, gardening tools, and a bonus pocket for carrying a cool drink.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Tool Seat features a standard collapsible tool that is made from stainless-steel piping with a nylon fabric seat, and a smart detail at the base that lets you hang your gardening toolbag underneath it. The bag comes equipped with a gardening toolkit.

What we like

  • It features a space on the inside to accommodate your gardening trimmings

What we dislike

  • The seat doesn’t look too comfy to sit on for long periods

4. Yuanye Foldable Outdoor Grill

Called the Yuanye, this portable outdoor barbecue grilling pan that you can carry with you on your outdoor adventures, or to cook up something delicious in your yard. It resembles a portable projector and can be used with a gas tank, fire source, and oil storage module. It is super useful with good-looking aesthetics.

Why is it noteworthy?

As you open up the grill, you’ll see two partitions that let you grill meats on one side, and vegetables on the other. It is a portable grill that is inspired by a suitcase, but instead of storing clothes, it stores the food you need to eat.

What we like

  • Fashionable, good-looking, and portable appliance
  • You can cook meats as well as veggies on it, preparing a well-balanced meal

What we dislike

  • It’s a conceptual design so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

5. Smart Coop

This smart coop is meant to simplify every task related to chicken raising. The coop is equipped with an inbuilt IoT camera, that lets you keep a tab on your chicken’s health remotely, even if you’re on the other end of the world. The door can be scheduled to open and close as per your chickens’ habits.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coop can accommodate six chickens, which is enough to sustain a small family. The coop is also weather-resistant, and durable enough to handle the elements. The freshly laid eggs can be collected via a secure hatch without disturbing the chickens within.

What we like

  • The aesthetics haven’t been ignored, the various elements feature contrasting coral hues

What we dislike

  • You need a suitable backyard to accommodate the coop, cant be placed in all yards

6. Dufour

This wooden tiny home called Dufour transports you to a world of luxury, comfort, and elegance. It is built by German tiny house creator Berghaus, and the wooden cabin provides a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury.

Why is it noteworthy?

The tiny home is packed with modern-day luxuries, and it is equipped with two loft bedrooms each with a staircase of its own from the main floor. It measures around 26 feet in length, which makes it much larger than most tiny homes.

What we like

  • It can be used as a family home or a comfy vacation rental
  • It is topped with solar panels

What we dislike

  • It lacks a terrace (expandable or fixed) that can provide a viewing space when in transit

7. Bello! Bench

Fjetland designed the Bello! bench for the aluminum producer Hydro. And what was his muse for this piece? You got it right – pasta, or to be more precise penne rigate.

Why is it noteworthy?

Informed by the design and form of pasta, the Bello! bench is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used indoors and outdoors. It’s been created from nearly ninety percent recycled and one hundred percent recyclable aluminum.

What we like

  • The bench is inspired by a piece of penne rigate, which is responsible for its ridged and textured surface
  • It can be customized and modified to incorporate tables, lamps, or chargers since it does not have an internal support structure

What we dislike

  • The shape of the bench is opposite to what we usually have, ergonomically speaking, which makes it difficult to sit comfortably and could lead to a slipping sensation.

8. The +Base Modular Grill

The +Base Modular Griller is ideal for your yard during the summertime. It can support almost any kind of cooking – from frying to smoking, stewing, grilling, or evening keeping some wine warm. This unique and innovative griller is an ideal fit for your yard. You can cook up some of the veggies you’ve grown in your garden!

Why is it noteworthy?

The All-In-One Grill is designed by a small family-owned Japanese factory, and it is carefully designed to maximize the limited amount of space available. The wooden base protects the table from the grill’s hot bottom, which also functions as a lid when the griller has to be stowed away.

What we like

  • The modular griller lets you cook in seven different ways
  • It simplifies outdoor cooking, allowing you to cook up meals in your yard

What we dislike

  • Hardcore grillers may not like the design or prefer it

9. Panama Banana

Called the Panama Banana, this hammock is the perfect piece of furniture for your yard. It is inspired by tropical elements like the shape of a surfboard and is inspired by the curvature of a banana. It has a tranquil and chill vibe to it, which makes it an excellent addition to your garden or backyard.

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s as comfortable as a hammock or sun chair, but rocks to and fro like a rocking chair, giving you an experience that’s sure to steal your entire afternoon and some more.

What we like

  • The hammock is coated with a water-resistant wax, and it is perfect for outdoor use or indoor use with an outdoor view

What we dislike

  • There is no option or scope for personal customization

10. Böste Lounge Chair

The Böste Lounge Chair is designed by the Swedish furniture company Skargaarden, and it is a minimal and well-designed sturdy lounge chair for your yard. It is designed to weather over time, adding a wonderful patina to the chair, and giving it a different visual with time.

Why is it noteworthy?

The lounge chair is named after the designer’s hometown in Southern Sweden. It is inspired by the classic Westport Chair and is in fact, a Scandinavian version of it. The form of the chair is pretty unique, with the back and seat meeting at an interesting angle, which invites and welcomes users to sit in a gently reclined pose which is great for relaxing and socializing with family and friends.

What we like

  • It is equipped with a separate footrest, that lets users lie down fully and comfortably
  • It is made using sustainably sourced teak

What we dislike

  • Aesthetically similar to other outdoor chairs on the market

The post The 10 Best Designs You Need In Your Yard Or Garden To Gear Up For Spring 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.